Flow Yoga – What Is It And What Are Its Benefits?

Flow Yoga – What Is It And What Are Its Benefits?Ramya AchantaOctober 5, 2017

Are you feeling stiff and stuck? If a sense of movement is all you crave for at this moment, you must try flow yoga.

Flow Yoga or Vinyasa Flow Yoga is the answer to all your sedentary lifestyle problems. The practice is unique and has elements that particularly stand out among others.

Luckily for you, all you need to know about Flow Yoga is right here. We also added information on Vinyasa Flow Yoga poses that will help you understand the concept better.

What are you waiting for? Get to reading this. Go on.

What Is Vinyasa Flow Yoga?

Vinyasa Yoga, also called Flow Yoga because of its smooth style, is a system of yoga widely considered to have built by the legendary yoga teacher from India, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a favorite style of yoga that links breath with movement. The Sanskrit word ‘vinyasa’ means connection. In Vinyasa style, there is a link between the breath and movement and between the yoga asanas in a flowing sequence.

The practitioners of Vinyasa Yoga combine movement to breathe and flow from one pose to another in a sequence. The method is smooth and strings Vinyasa poses together in a flow, unlike the Hatha Yoga asanas that focus on one pose and take rest.

Each movement in Vinyasa Yoga is synchronized to breath. Breathing right is of utmost importance in this style. It acts as a measure and gives a sense of direction to the practitioner to move from one pose to another.

Vinyasa Yoga, in a philosophical sense, recognizes the temporary nature of things reflected in the manner we hold a pose for a while, leave it, and move on to another. Vinyasa gained immense popularity and is widely practiced across the world.

Now, let’s check out some of its poses.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga Poses

The following Vinyasa poses focus on breathing and internal energy and work on specific parts of the body.

1. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

Image: iStock

About The Pose: Uttanasana or the Standing Forward Bend is an asana where your head is placed below your heart, evoking many benefits. The asana works best when practiced in the morning on an empty stomach.

Benefits: The asana gives a good stretch to your hips and calves. It releases anxiety and headache. The pose massages your digestive organs and activates your kidneys. It also lessens menstrual problems and asthma.

To know more about the asana and how to practice it, click here: Uttanasana

2. Anjaneyasana (Crescent Pose)

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About The Pose: Anjaneya is another name for Lord Hanuman, the great aide of Lord Rama in the Indian epic, Ramayana. The pose resembles the typical stance of Hanuman, and is hence named Anjaneyasana. Practice the pose on an empty stomach in the morning.

To know more about the asana and how to practice it, click here: Anjaneyasana

3. Vasisthasana (Sideward Plank Pose)

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About The Pose: Vasistha is one among the seven great seers of India. Vasistha also means wealth. The asana is named so as it makes a person healthy, which is a combination of greatness and wealth. Practice the asana on an empty stomach in the morning.

To know more about the asana and how to practice it, click here: Vasisthasana

4. Chaturanga Dandasana (Four Legged Staff Pose)

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About The Pose: Chaturanga Dandasana or the Four Legged Staff Pose resembles a low plank. Here, the body is supported by the tips of your toes and palms. Practice the asana on an empty stomach in the morning or evening after a gap of 4 to 6 hours from your last meal.

Benefits: Chaturanga Dandasana strengthens your wrists and makes them more flexible. It builds muscles in your arms and shoulders.

5. Malasana (Garland Pose)

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About The Pose: Malasana or the Garland Pose is a simple squat. The asana is a natural manner of sitting in many regions in the Eastern countries. It comes quickly to those who are physically active. Practice Malasana in the morning on an empty stomach.

Benefits: Malasana gives the sacrum and groins a good stretch. It increases the flexibility of your ankles and knees, strengthens the abdomen, and improves hip mobility.

To know more about the asana and how to practice it, click here: Malasana

6. Balasana (Child Pose)

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About The Pose: Balasana or the Child Pose resembles the fetal position. The Sanskrit word ‘bala’ means child, and the pose is therefore named Balasana. It is a relaxing pose and works best when practiced in the morning or evening on an empty stomach.

To know more about the asana and how to practice it, click here: Balasana

7. Janu Sirsasana (Head To Knee Pose)

Image: iStock

About The Pose: Janu Sirsasana or the Head To Knee Pose is a seated forward bend that requires you to touch your head to either of the knees. Practice the asana either in the morning on an empty stomach or evening after a gap of 4 to 6 hours from your last meal.

Benefits: Janu Sirsasana relieves mild depression and gives a good stretch to your hamstrings and stimulates your liver and reproductive organs. It cures insomnia and high blood pressure.

To know more about the asana and how to practice it, click here: Janu Sirsasana

Expert’s Answers for Readers Questions

What do I wear to practice Vinyasa Yoga?

Wear loose and comfortable clothes to practice Vinyasa Yoga.

How often do I practice Vinyasa Yoga?

Practice every day if possible.

An inactive state of life is not something you should be in. It takes your charm and spark away. Flow like the river, no matter what. Handle situations, experience and learn from them. But, never stop there. Move on. There is more to life. Vinyasa will help you get there, so get started with it.